GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Brian Faison announced today that Breanna Linert has been named head coach of UND’s cheer and dance teams.

Linert will oversee three components of the UND spirit squad: football/basketball/volleyball cheer, hockey cheer, and the UND dance team. A 2011 graduate of UND with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Linert was a member of UND’s football and basketball cheer teams from 2006-08. She currently serves as Executive Assistant for the UND Alumni Association and Foundation and has also spent the past year as assistant cheerleading coach at Red River High School in Grand Forks.

“We are excited to have Breanna take over the leadership of these programs,” said Faison. “Our spirit groups do a great job of supporting our teams and enhancing the atmosphere at our athletics events and will continue to do so under Breanna’s direction.”

Linert served as Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA)/Universal Dance Association (UDA) Camp Manager in 2008 and was a Northern Elite All-Stars Competitive Co-Ed cheerleader from 2001 to 2004. She is UCA Stunting and American Association of Cheerleading Coaches & Administrators (AACCA) certified, and has completed the North Dakota Cheer Coaches Association (NDCCA) Sports First Aid Course.

“It is an honor to be involved with the UND Cheer and Dance program again,” said Linert. “Cheering at UND was one of the highlights of my collegiate career and I am excited to give back to the University through this position.”

Linert replaces Amber Eberhardt, who stepped down earlier this year after eight years at UND, including seven as head coach, in order to spend more time with her family.

“We want to thank Amber for her eight years of service to the UND cheer program,” said Faison. “She played a key role in the program’s development and improvement. Breanna was on the team when Amber coached, which we think will be important for continuity and pride in the program as we continue to improve and move into the future.”

The football, basketball and volleyball cheer and dance team have been finalized for next year. Hockey cheer team tryouts will take place in the fall.